Saying the Same Thing.

Since we all use the internet,

we probably all see internet behaviors

that annoy us.

My roommates know me

as someone who gets annoyed

by many internet behaviors.

Maybe more than average.

They're right.

What I hate most

is things that go viral.

I hate when everyone

is talking

and posting

and watching

the same thing.

I guess it's the hipster in me.

The minute something is trending,

I don't care about it.

And I get irritated

that everyone else does.

I refuse to post

about it,

even if I believe in the cause.

But think about it.

The internet is amazing.

You can say anything

at anytime

and know that someone will see it.

Compared to every other age of history

we have staggering power of self-expression.

And every man and woman

has the choice

about what he or she will choose to say

with that power.

I just wonder why

everyone would choose

to say the same thing

when they know that everyone else

is already saying it.

Like on every holiday,

when everyone posts

"Happy valentines day!!!"

Why put that into the world

when it doesn't exhibit

any creativity

or any spark of your personality

or what makes you special?

I guess people are just saying

what they feel,

what they think is important.

They're sharing what touched them

and what they would like other people to see.

And I guess

in a lot of ways

we are all the same.

We think the same things

are important,

we're touched by the same things,

and we want other people to see

the same things

that those people want us to see.

Not everyone prioritizes

being witty

and original

and making people laugh

the way I do.

I probably prioritize it too highly.

But I have to wonder,

if we've got so much power

to express ourselves,

why are we all saying the same thing?